2011 NFL Draft: Cornerback Rankings

Patrick Peterson*, CB, LSU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round (2011): Top 8 Pick. 10/9/10: Peterson has really shown how dominant of a punt returner he is this season. His speed and vision really speak volumes as a return man, but he’s also been a beast in run support and in coverage this season. He could go as high as the top three picks especially with the Detroit Lions in need of a cornerback.

5/13/10: One of the top cornerback prospects to come along in a very long time, Patrick Peterson broke up 13 passes in 2009.

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2011): Top 10 Pick. 10/9/10: Amukamara is still playing at a very high level and he looks like he’s in a battle with Peterson for the No. 1 corner spot.

5/13/10: Prince Amukamara had a dominant junior campaign, collecting 64 tackles, three TFL, 11 passes broken up and five interceptions.

Brandon Harris*, CB, Miami
Height: 5-11. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.41.
Projected Round (2011): Top 20 Pick. 10/9/10: Harris is a baller – period. On tape, he produces and plays with the swagger and confidence you want to see out of a cornerback. He’s a missle in run support and shows the ability to take on a block. In coverage, receivers really struggle to separate and offensive coordinators have stopped calling plays his way this season.

5/13/10: Brandon Harris broke up a whopping 15 passes last year and also had six TFL.

Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Height: 6-2. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2011): Top 25 Pick. 10/9/10: Dowling recorded eight tackles and one pass breakup against Florida State last week. He was hurt the first three games, but has made his presence felt this season and looks like a first-round pick.

5/13/10: Ras-I Dowling had 58 tackles, 2.5 TFL and eight passes broken up. His 40 is a concern; we all saw what happened to Donovan Warren two weeks ago.

Aaron Williams*, CB, Texas
Height: 6-1. Weight: 189.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2011): 1-2 10/9/10: I have yet to see some tape on Williams, but I’ve heard from a couple sources he hasn’t played up to his potential this season. Some scouts love Williams, but some think he’s overrated.

5/13/10: Another superstar rising junior cornerback, Aaron Williams likely won’t make it into the second half of Round 1.

Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
Height: 6-1. Weight: 187.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2011): 1-2.10/9/10: Burton is a very instinctive player with a great feel for the game. He’s a little finesse, but he shows the technique you want to see with a low backpedal and clean footwork.

Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
Height: 6-0. Weight: 180.
Projected 40 Time: 4.37.
Projected Round (2011): 2. 10/9/10: Brown is a very talented player who is not afraid to come up and hit someone. You have to love the way he plays the game and he’ll get drafted in the top 60 picks.

5/13/10: Curtis Brown, an All-Big XII honorable mention, broke up seven passes in 2009. He has the best triangle numbers of any top corner eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
Height: 5-10. Weight: 188.
Projected 40 Time: 4.56.
Projected Round (2011): 2-3.10/9/10: Jenkins isn’t technicallly the greatest corner in the 2011 NFL Draft and he lacks elite athleticism, but he has great instincts. I’m not as high on him as most are, and his matchup against A.J. Green will be interesting to say the least. He held his own against Julio Jones.

Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado
Height: 6-1. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2011): 3-4. 10/9/10: Brown is a very underrated corner, but I’m a fan of his and he’s had a breakout season for Colorado.

5/13/10: Jalil Brown was voted as an All-Big XII honorable mention thanks to the 13 passes he broke up as a junior.

Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina
Height: 5-9. Weight: 182.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Projected Round (2011): 3-5. 10/9/10: Courtesy of CollegeInjuryReport.com: “Senior CB Kendric Burney is out for (two) more games due to a suspension stemming from an NCAA eligibility issue. His full punishment is a six-game suspension (of which he has served two games), and he must make a $575 donation to the charity of his choice.”

5/13/10: Kendric Burney has terrific skill – he had five interceptions and was named to the All-ACC First Team – but his height will scare some teams away.

Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 178.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2011): 3-5. 10/9/10: House needs to put on some weight, but there is no denying he is a cover corner with added ball skills. 5/13/10: Voted to the All-WAC First Team thanks to 13 pass break-ups and three interceptions as a junior.

Chykie Brown, CB, Texas
Height: 6-0. Weight: 187.
Projected 40 Time: 4.39.
Projected Round (2011): 3-5. 10/9/10: Brown has the athleticism to be a first-round pick, but the problem is his footwork, backpedal and overall technique need a major overhaul.

5/13/10: Where does Texas get all of these talented corners? Chykie Brown had 45 tackles, two picks and four pass break-ups in 2009.

Brandon Hogan, CB/PR, West Virginia
Height: 5-10. Weight: 191.
Projected 40 Time: 4.38.
Projected Round (2011): 4-6. 10/9/10: Hogan has recently gotten in trouble again with a DUI. He has had multiple problems with his character in the past, and this hurts his draft stock.